Bonner Springs, Kansas

Coronado Spanish explorer Francisco Vázquez de Coronado spent the winter of 1541-1542 at what is now the area of Bonner Springs. The diary of Father Juan Padilla records that the expedition reached the 40th degree (Kansas northern border) and came to a great river (the Missouri). An inscription found on a stone near Atchison has been translated as, "Thus far came Francisco de Coronado, General of an Expedition." The explorers traveled downstream to the mouth of another great river, the Kansas, and preceded upstream 16 leagues to camp in what is now Bonner Springs before returning to Mexico. Due to the mineral springs, this legend gave the area its first recorded name, "Coronado Springs". The location allowed easy access to trade items, and a ferry to cross the Kansas River was added. With a date of 1812, it is reputed to be the first commercial center and permanent settlement in Kansas. Tiblow was a Delaware Indian who worked as an interpreter for the government. He lived in a small cabin on the west side of the city. The town was named after Robert E. Bonner, a publisher of the New York Ledger, who was a trotting-horse breeder of note, and Clark believed would help fund the proposed racetrack. However, there is no record this occurred. Fire of 1908 Bonner Springs continued to be prosperous, with a growing population and new businesses. In 1908, a fire caused over $70,000 worth of damage ($ in dollars) and destroyed between 19 and 21 local businesses. ==Geography==

Bonner Springs is located primarily on the north side of the Kansas River. It is mainly in southwestern Wyandotte County, with small portions extending west into Leavenworth County and south across the Kansas River into Johnson County. It is bordered to the north by Kansas City, Kansas, to the east by Edwardsville, and to the south across the Kansas River by Shawnee. Interstate 70, the Kansas Turnpike, passes through the northern part of the city, with access from Exits 224 and 224A (U.S. Route 73 and Kansas Highway 7). I-70 leads east to Kansas City, Missouri, and west to Lawrence, while US-73 leads north to Leavenworth, and K-7 leads south the same distance to Olathe. K-32 runs through the center of Bonner Springs close to the Kansas River, leading east into Edwardsville and west to Linwood. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which are land and , or 2.26%, are water. Climate Bonner Springs has a humid continental climate, typically experiencing hot, humid summers and cold, dry winters. {{Weather box ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, Bonner Springs had a population of 7,837 people, with 3,037 households and 2,065 families. The population density was 501.4 per square mile (193.6/km). There were 3,202 housing units at an average density of 204.9 per square mile (79.1/km). 85.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 14.1% lived in rural areas. Of all housing units, 5.2% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.6%. White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, made up 72.9% of the population. The median income for those above 16 years old was $43,194 (+/- $7,382). Approximately, 8.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.1% of those under the age of 18 and 4.9% of those ages 65 or over. 2010 census As of the census of 2010, there were 7,314 people, 2,810 households, and 1,917 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,025 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 84.8% White, 5.4% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.0% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10.8% of the population. There were 2,810 households, of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 14.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.8% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age in the city was 35.7 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 11.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female. ==Arts and culture==

Azura Amphitheater (2015) Bonner Springs is home to the Azura Amphitheater, first opened in 1984 as the Sandstone Amphitheater. This open-air venue can seat approximately 18,000 guests, including 3,100 private box and reserved seats, with a large grass lawn area at the rear of the amphitheater. The venue has undergone several renovations, including an improved layout for seating, and state-of-the-art, updated sound and video systems. National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame (2014) Bonner Springs is home to the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame, a privately funded charitable institution chartered by the U.S. Congress to "educate society on the historical and present value of American agriculture and to honor leadership in Agri-Business and Academia by providing education, information, experience and recognition." Kansas City Renaissance Festival The city is host of the annual Kansas City Renaissance Festival. The fair begins on Labor Day weekend and continues for seven weekends, open on Saturdays and Sundays as well as Labor Day and Columbus Day. The fair began in 1977 as a benefit for the Kansas City Art Institute, and became a stand-alone event in the late 1990s. The fair has 165 booths and 13 stages, entertaining 180,000 patrons annually on 16 operating days. Wyandotte County Park Wyandotte County Park has numerous picnic areas with A-frame structures. The park also includes soccer fields, tennis courts, a skate park, disc golf course, a model airplane flying area, and baseball diamonds. The Park is home to numerous attractions, including the Wyandotte County Museum and Historical Society, Trowbridge Archival Library, and the George Meyn Community Center. Sunflower Hills Golf Course Sunflower Hills Golf Course, opened in 1977, is an 18-hole course located at Wyandotte County Park. The championship Golf course was designed by renowned architect Roger Packard. Sunflower Hills is home to the Wyandotte County Open, the longest running tournament of its kind in the Greater Kansas City area. The Junior golf course features six holes with three sets of tees, driving range, putting green and practice bunker. Tiblow Days Each year, during the last weekend of August, the city hosts Tiblow Days, a heritage festival in honor of early settler Henry Tiblow, and former namesake of the community. ==Government==

The Bonner Springs City Council consists of nine members who are elected in non-partisan elections across four wards. The mayor is elected at large, and together with the council, select and appoint a professional city manager to operate the city. Operating as the legislative branch of the city, the council provides policy direction to the city manager. The vast majority of Bonner Springs lies in Wyandotte County as the other parts of Bonner Springs lie in neighboring Leavenworth and Johnson County. Bonner Springs acts as an incorporated city - retaining its own government and autonomy - while also being part of the consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified Government". The UG consolidates the governmental functions of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, under one entity, while also performing typical county government functions for the incorporated cities of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville. ==Education==

The city is served by Bonner Springs–Edwardsville USD 204 public school district, which includes Bonner Springs High School, Robert E. Clark Middle School, and three elementary schools, Bonner Springs Elementary School, Delaware Ridge Elementary School, and Edwardsville Elementary school. Bonner Springs residents also contribute to funding Kansas City Kansas Community College. Public Library The City of Bonner Springs operates one library, the Bonner Springs City Library. ==Infrastructure==

Utilities Bonner Springs is served by the following utilities: • Natural Gas Service - Atmos. • Electrical Service - Evergy. • Water & Sewer Service - City of Bonner Springs supplies water and sewer service to the city. • Cable Television - Spectrum Internet and AT&T • Telephone Service - Spectrum Internet and AT&T. ==Transportation==

See related article: voy:Kansas City (Missouri) at Wikivoyage River transportation was important to early Bonner Springs, as its location directly on the Kansas River afforded easy access to trade. A portion of Interstate 70 was the first project in the United States completed under the provisions of the new Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (though not the first constructed or to begin construction). Bonner Springs is located directly on or near several transportation corridors including roadways, rail, and river access. Road transportation Bonner Springs is served directly by two interstate highways, three national highways and three state highways: • • • • • • • • • State Avenue Direct routes Bonner Springs is served with direct routes to one interstate highway, two state highways and one national highway: • • • ==Notable people==

Notable individuals who were born in and/or have lived in Bonner Springs include: • Gene Clark (1944-1991), singer and founding member of The Byrds • David Jaynes (1952- ), football quarterback • Ed Nealy (1960- ), basketball power forward • Myra Taylor (1917-2011), jazz singer-songwriter • Bobby Watson (1953- ), saxophonist • Freddie Williams II (1977-), comic book writer and artist ==See also==